Sun Guard Ty Jerome makes his debut with the Northern Arizona Suns on Tuesday November 26 at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona. (Matt Hinshaw / NAZ Suns)
The northern Arizona Suns will move south, leaving Prescott Valley for a site to be determined in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the city said in a statement Tuesday.
“It is premature to say anything definitive, but due to the economic realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, we started exploring by bringing the North Arizona suns closer to our parent club in Phoenix,” the team said in a statement on Wednesday.
The NAZ Suns made their Prescott Valley debut at Findlay Toyota Center in 2016 after previously working in California as Bakersfield Jam for 10 years.
The Phoenix Suns entered into a hybrid operation agreement with the Bakersfield franchise in 2014 before purchasing it and moving to Arizona. This allowed the Phoenix team to have full control of its G League team.
Moving the minor league team closer to Phoenix will allow him to cut travel time by an extra hour for players who often transfer between the two teams.
Two-way players and youngsters in development such as the current rookie Jalen Lecque often move among themselves, to train with the NBA team and the G League team, which allows them to accumulate game experience.
In or around the Phoenix area, G League team players will also be able to make better use of the Suns training facility under construction on Camelback Road and 44th Street, north of downtown Phoenix.
“As you can imagine, the impact that the global pandemic has had on the sports and entertainment industry has forced our organization to evaluate how we run our business, including streamlining operations,” said Maria Baier Suns senior vice president for public affairs press release from the city of Prescott Valley. “Unfortunately, when the 2020-20 season of the G – League goes down, the team will play in one place, to be determined, in the Phoenix metropolitan area, allowing us to share efficiencies and resources with the rest of the Suns organization.
“Please know that our time in Prescott Valley is full of many special memories. We have found a loyal and supportive fan base that has made our organization, its players, its coaches and our staff feel welcome, and we are eternally grateful for all the support. Unfortunately, without the possibility of hosting live events, the economic realities are clear and the Phoenix Suns organization had to make difficult choices and apply cost-cutting measures for our G-League franchise. As always, we wish you and the entire Prescott Valley community. “
A venue capable of hosting G League matches is the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which will host the 2020 Phoenix Mercury season before the pandemic.
Also known as Madhouse on McDowell, the original Suns home from 1968-1992 was also ready to host NBA games after the coronavirus hiatus delayed the resumption of the regular season. This allowed the planned renovations for the home of the NBA and WNBA teams, Talking Stick Resort Arena, to continue as planned.
There is time to find a new home. The G League season typically starts in early November, but this could be an attempt between the pandemic.
Before the NAZ Suns became the main tenants of the Findlay Toyota Center, the Prescott Valley arena hosted the Arizona Sundogs (Central Hockey League) minor league hockey from 2006-2014; the Arizona Outlaws (American Indoor Football); and the Arizona Adrenaline (American Indoor Football Association / Indoor Football League) in 2008 and 2011.
The city’s mayor, Kell Palguta, said Prescott Valley hopes to find a new tenant.
“The goals and commitment of the arena staff will be to continue organizing great shows and events for our community,” said Palguta in a statement. “We hope to have a long-term tenant as soon as the opportunity presents itself, perhaps even another minor league hockey team.”
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